Three Bold Predictions for Cardinals-Giants
The Arizona Cardinals' home slate begins with the New York Giants in town - and this may not be the guaranteed loss that we once thought it might be.
Rather, this game feels winnable and attainable for the Cardinals, but it won’t come easy.
The Giants looked vulnerable in their shutout loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football last week and while they may be looking to take their frustrations out on the Cardinals, I think Jonathan Gannon and co. will instead see this as a big time opportunity to capitalize on a down team.
I have taken the Cardinals to win this game outright in our staff predictions, but here I have three bold predictions. I think these are realistic and attainable goals Arizona can accomplish.
Three Bold Predictions
Cardinals get four sacks
The Arizona Cardinals got six sacks last week - can they see a repeat performance?
The Cardinals' pass rush showed signs of life against the Washington Commanders when they brought down quarterback Sam Howell six separate times, including a two-sack performance from Dennis Gardeck. If they are able to build off that momentum, they could very well find success again this week.
The Giants have a legitimate top-five left tackle in Andrew Thomas, but everyone aside from him is suspect at best. The Cardinals took advantage of a below-average Washington line last week and aside from Thomas - who is questionable heading into Sunday - the Giants' offensive line doesn’t feel much better.
Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis will be in their bag (as the young kids say) to dial up some serious pressure, and I believe they will find some wild success.
James Conner scores twice
James Conner has yet to find the end zone this season, but so have the Cardinals' offense and the New York Giants. Either figures to break that streak come Sunday.
The Cardinals' offense has very little going for it. If the quarterback play is as bad as it was last week, it’s gonna be another brutal game to watch.
However, James Conner is a Porsche that’s parked in the trailer park that is the Cardinals' offense - and he will be asked to will them to wins all year.
Against a Giants defense that waltzed to a 122-yard team rushing performance, I expect a run-heavy Cardinals squad to do the same. Conner will help to make this offense run a bit more smoothly (even if the quarterback play isn’t there) and I believe in him to find pay dirt twice.
Cardinals march on game-winning drive
Josh Dobbs attempted just 4.4 yards per attempt last Sunday vs. Washington.
For the Cardinals to pull off any wins this year they will need to have sustained drives and be able to finish with points, preferably touchdowns. It doesn’t matter how ugly or pretty the drive is - just get points.
I have a hard time finding many sure-wins on the season for Arizona this year, if there are any. That being said, I can see some toss-up games based off how this team played for Gannon in Week 1.
This is one of those games.
I’m not sure how they plan to do it, but I have a gut feeling this Cardinals team is going to pull out a massive win vs. the Giants and get the first win of the Jonathan Gannon/Monti Ossenfort era.
To make it even sweeter, I believe they’re going to accomplish it on a game-winning drive.
Bottom line: I got the birds.
